HBCU Times Fall 2021 Issue

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L. THESA’RAH ARGUING JONES BROTHERS JOURNEY TO PODCAST HOLLYWOOD

KIZMET MILLS COLLETTA ORR FROM HOWARD

THE FIGHT AGAINST UNIVERSITY TO CANCER NIKE EXECUTIVE

SUCCESS

EMERGING EMINENCE BREAST PRESIDENT CANCER A. ZACHARY AWARENESS FAISON

EMERGING KIZMET MILLS EMINENCE FROM HOWARD PRESIDENT UNIVERSITY TO A. ZACHARY NIKE EXECUTIVE FAISON

medicine precious

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PRESIDENT KARRIE G. DIXON

D R . JAC K I E WA LTE R S

D IAM O N DS F E AT U R I N G

SA’R A H L . JO N E S

VSU TRAINING BLACK POLITICAL LEADERS

P AT H W AY T O H O L LY W O O D

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS

Advanced Rehabilitation Research Training (ARRT) Program at the Langston University Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (LU-RRTC) on Research and Capacity Building for Minority Entities PROJECT OVERVIEW:

The Advanced Rehabilitation Research Training (ARRT) Project at the Langston University (historically Black college/university [HBCU]) Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (LU-RRTC) on Research and Capacity Building represents a collaborative effort between the Institute for Community Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts Boston ([ICI] Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institution), North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University ([NCA&T] HBCU), South Carolina State University ([SCSU] HBCU), and Jackson State University ([JSU] HBCU). The Project implements a Peer-to-Peer Multiple Mentor Model to help post-doctoral fellows navigate institutional context and cross-fertilize their independent research project and research grant proposal through exchanges with a primary mentor and a scientific panel of mentors comprised of content experts, multicultural specialists, methodologists, and statisticians.

The ARRT Program works in concert with the LU-RRTC drawing upon the center’s extensive minority-serving institution research capacity building expertise, collaborative networks, resources, and interventions (e.g., methodology and grant writing web-based trainings, communities of practice, strategic planning, sponsored programs office and institutional review board technical assistance and consultation), offer courses, webinars, and implement peer mentoring as an innovative strategy to holistically address the fellows’ research skill building needs.

INVITATION TO APPLY:

We invite individuals who have earned a doctorate from a minority-serving institution (i.e., HBCU, Hispanic serving institution, or American Indian tribal college) or traditionally White institution (TWI) and current doctoral candidates (must graduate before beginning fellowship) at minority-serving institutions or TWIs interested in employment research to apply to participate in the post-doctoral fellowship. Minority-serving institution based faculty members who have earned doctorates are also eligible to apply (i.e., 80% research supplements through subcontract for such faculty in residence at their employing minority-serving institution are optional). We strongly encourage individuals with disabilities to apply. We are particularly interested in recruiting candidates who have a strong desire to obtain an academic faculty position or research position at a minority-serving institution upon completion of the fellowship program.

PARTICIPATION INCENTIVES:

• Salary and benefits package- Annual salary with full health benefits • Peer-to-Peer multiple research mentorship opportunity with scientific panel mentors • Financial research agenda start-up package- i.e., study participant honorariums/fellow research travel • Peer reviewed publications • Present research findings at national rehabilitation related conferences If you have any questions regarding the Langston University Advanced Rehabilitation Research Training Program (LU-ARRT), please contact | 2 0Principal 2 1 Investigator/Training F A L L I S S UDirector E Dr. Corey L.2Moore, at (405) 530-7531 or email: capacitybuildingrrtc@langston.edu.

Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (LU-RRTC) on Research and Capacity Building for Minority Entities The MISSION of the Langston University RRTC is to improve minority entities’ (e.g., historically Black colleges/universities [HBCUs], Hispanic-serving institutions [HSIs], and American Indian tribal colleges/universities [AITCUs]) disability and rehabilitation research capacity and infrastructure by conducting a programmatic line of research examining experiences and outcomes of persons from traditionally underserved racial and ethnic populations and communities and capacity-building efforts.

LU-RRTC TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

The LU-RRTC serves as a national resource center for minority entities (MEs) seeking to develop their research infrastructure (RI), and to enhance their capacity to engage in disability and rehabilitation research.

To this end, the RRTC initiates dissemination, training and technical assistance (TA) activities to develop strong RIs within MEs for the conduct of research, preparation, submission, and management of NIDRR funded research grant projects. TA services are provided as a part of LU-RRTC interventions for research project participants and to ME and SVRA requestors around the country. The quality, intensity, and duration of TA vary by system (i.e., ME or SVRA) and the readiness of TA recipients.

Minority Entity TA Areas- • Faculty Scholar Role & Function Balance Consultation (e.g., teaching/service/research balance)• Sponsored Programs Office Operations Consultation • Research Infrastructure Strategic Planning • Institutional Review Board (IRB) Operation Consultation • NIDRR Research Proposal Development Mentorship • NIDRR Research Project Management Consultation • Manuscript for Peer Reviewed Publication Development Mentorship • NIDRR Request for Comment (RFC) or Request for Proposal (RFP) Interpretation Consultation • NIDRR Expert Panel Application Development Consultation • Data Management and Analysis Software and Related Technology Support Consultation State Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (SVRA) TA Areas- • SVRA Policy Consultation to Improve Outcomes for Persons from Traditionally Underserved Communities • SVRA Rehabilitation Practitioner Consultation or Training to Improve Outcomes for Persons from Traditionally Underserved Communities LU-RRTC PEER-TO-PEER MENTOR RESEARCH TEAM ACADEMY

The LU-RRTC Peer-to-Peer Mentor Research Team Academy represents a collaborative effort between Langston University and the Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) at the University of Massachusetts Boston.

The Academy mentors Fellows to conduct research that addresses the rehabilitation needs of persons with disabilities from traditionally underserved backgrounds and communities. Ultimately, the program builds Fellows’ scholarly self-efficacy and research skills by providing them with state-of-the-science knowledge of scientifically valid measurement strategies and methodologies, and direct hands-on experience in the conduct of research and grant proposal development.

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D R. D AVID STAT EN graduate always dreamed of becoming a medical doctor, but she never imagined how much of an inspiration she would become for her patients and women around the world. She shares the challenges of starting her own practice in Atlanta and navigating her diagnosis shortly after getting married. Dr. Jackie explains how her own battle with breast cancer led to the birth of her foundation, 50 Shades of Pink, supporting breast cancer warriors at all stages.

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ith the crisp fall air approaching, we are serving upbeat energy and exciting new beginnings. Despite the challenges, we, as a global community, have remained resilient and ready for anything. We have embraced hardships, which have led to unthinkable growth, and HBCU Times is showcasing leadership and innovation like never before!

This issue has a double-dose of Black girl magic, featuring two phenomenal Black women who are not only HBCU grads but advocates for representation in their respective fields. First up is the amazingly talented television writer, Sa’Rah Jones. Now, whether she’s had you dying laughing from her work on Netflix’s “Family Reunion” or CBS’ “The Neighborhood,” Jones is unapologetically taking over Hollywood. The South Carolina State University alum shares the pivotal role Black women have played in her journey to success. She reflects on her time writing scripts, all while working a full-time corporate job and being a mother. Jones urges young Black people to maintain their dream, master their craft, and seek the power necessary to tell their own stories.

You’ve probably seen her gracing your television screen on the Bravo network, advocating for breast cancer awareness, or maybe even delivering your baby, because celebrity OB-GYN, Dr. Jackie Walters is everywhere. The Alcorn State University

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Sharing a similar message, we have an article on cancer researcher, Colletta Brabham-Orr. The Voorhees grad explains how losing her grandmother to ovarian cancer served as the foundation for pursuing her passion in medical research. Her commitment to spreading awareness, specifically to Black women, about breast and ovarian cancer is nothing short of incredible. Orr educates communities around the world on the importance of mammography, understanding your family’s medical history, and paying attention to your body to uncover possible symptoms.

Continuing the trend of sharing the stories of successful Black women, this issue highlights Senior Director of Global University Relations and Recruiting Programs for Nike, Kizmet Mills. The graduate of Howard University shares the unique backstory of how her plan to attend dental school transformed to her earning an MBA. Mills drops gems on exactly what Nike is looking for in internship applicants and even full-time employees. Additionally, she discusses how her time at Howard allowed her to think globally and ultimately catapulted her career.

As always, it simply wouldn’t be us if we did not showcase the amazing work consistently occurring at HBCUs around the nation. While traveling is the hot topic on everyone’s mind, we’re targeting those interested in flying the plane! Check out the article on Delaware State University alum and military and commercial pilot, William Charlton Jr., to learn how a pilot training academy is partnering with three HBCUs to diversify the field of aviation.

Finally, we head down to Jacksonville, Florida because the newlynamed Edward Waters University is making major waves. Read about how under the leadership of President Zachary Faison, the institution’s enrollment has increased significantly, as well as the development of a new stadium, student residence facility, and several undergraduate degree programs.

It’s undeniable, our beloved institutions are upholding the track record of producing outstanding leaders in society. Our hard work never stops, as is proven true by our success. Challenges arise, but we are only getting stronger and even more determined.

If you’re looking to feel inspired, motivated, and equipped to take on this season as your most powerful self, enjoy this issue of HBCU Times!

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F E AT U R E D ST O RY DR. JACKIE WALTERS: 50 SHADES OF PINK

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SA’RAH L. JONES: PATHWAY TO HOLLYWOOD

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Emerging Eminence: President Zachary Faison

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We’re Depending on God, and Not You

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HBCUs: Defying the O dds, Redefining the Future

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All About the Arguing Brothers Podcast

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Pathway to Nike: Kizmet Mills

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HBCU Executive Leadership

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7 Things You Need to Know About Biden’s White House Executive Order

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VSU Training the Next Generation of Black Political Leaders

BISHOP HERBERT C. CRUMP JR.

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From Politics to Producer

CARA JOHNSONGRAVES

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Take Flight With ECSU

JENAE JOHNSON-CARR

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William Charlton Jr: U nited Airlines and HBCUs

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A Black Man’s Jour ney to Obtain His M.D.

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Colletta Orr: The Fight Against Cancer

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POWE R AL UMNI DR. TIONNA L. JENKINS

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CREDITS

EDITOR AND CO-CEO Dr. David Staten CO-CEO Dr. Bridget Hollis Staten ART DIRECTOR Mia Salley ASSOCIATE EDITORS Amori Washington Octavia Robinson Dr. Regina Bush Deatrice Chisolm CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Ericka Blount Danois Kimberlei Davis Yolanda McCutchen Dr. Marybeth Gasman Abdul-Hakeem Imoro Ashleigh Fields Dr. Crystal deGregory Bishop Herbert C. Crump, Jr. Dr. Tionna Jenkins Cara Johnson-Graves Jenae Johnson-Carr Tony Hansberry II MODELS Sharita Prioleau Wayne Butler Tanya Butler LaChe Williams LOGO DESIGNER Designs by Mia, LC PUBLISHER Post & Courier

CREATIVE CONSULTANTS Jordan Staten Tanya Martino Dr. Corey Phillips CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Dr. Jackie Walters Featured Photo: Drea Nicole Other images of Dr. Jackie Walters by Robert Ector Sa’Rah L. Jones Featured Photo: Tina BernardHenderson (Makeup: Wyvetta Taylor | Hair: Doni Daniels | Wardrobe: Keisha Stewart) Terrell Maxwell of Maxwell Photography Studio B Photography and Art Alanah Butler Sean Khoun-Paige Edward Waters University Morehouse College Clark Atlanta University www.whitehouse.gov Virginia State University Elizabeth City State University Additional photos provided by the authors and interviewees.

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E MERGING EM INEN C E:

P R E S IDE NT A. Z A C H ARY FAI SO N

BY KIMBERLEI DAVIS

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early all of the nation’s institutions of higher education have been impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, but for most Historically Black Colleges and Universities, the glow-up has been strong with an increase in enrollment, alumni giving, and contributions from high-profile celebrities and organizations.

The same holds true for the newly named, Edward Waters University. Enrollment skyrocketed by 14%, and for the first time in its 155-year history, EWU became a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

The single-year, double-digit percentage enrollment increase for Florida’s first HBCU was the highest overall jump the institution has seen in nearly two decades.

Leading Tiger nation in its strategic goals, record-breaking growth, and other accomplishments to include a partnership with Ellucian’s Colleague SaaS to modernize its technology operations and the new Dr. Nathaniel Glover Community and Field Stadium is President and CEO, Dr. A. Zachary Faison, Jr. Throughout his career, Dr. Faison has been privileged to sit in many rooms of influence, and he doesn’t take those moments for granted, “Anytime that I have an opportunity to create new opportunities for scaffolding and leveraging our students for success, is the most rewarding part of this job.”

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The honors alum of Albany State University and the University of Georgia School of Law (UGA) has held numerous executive leadership positions in higher education and recounted how those experiences prepared him to be at the helm of a premier urban and private institution established by the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

“Seeing the direct impact and correlation that HBCUs have on the overall trajectory and development of our students and the heightened profile of our institution is particularly rewarding as president of EWU.” The only headlines coming out of Florida that President Faison is interested in surrounds the impact the institution is having on the Sunshine State.

“When you talk about the record enrollment numbers at over 1,100 students, a record number of new students, rejoining the SIAC after nearly a century’s hiatus, our brand new multi-million dollar stadium, the ribbon cutting and renovation on our largest student residence facility, and the establishment of the A. Philip Randolph Institute for Law, Race, Social Justice, and Economic Policy…those are the Florida headlines I’m most excited about,” he quipped.

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to say,‘Son, the proof is in the pudding.’”

“If it were not for the Edward Waters University, the Johnson C. Smith University, the Florida Memorial University, the Albany State University, the Virginia Union University - you’d have to create them. These institutions are principally responsible for the Black middle and professional class. You don’t have the proliferation of African American doctors, teachers, engineers, judges, dentists, and PhDs in the STEM field if it weren’t for our institutions producing these professionals in every sphere, in every capacity - all over the world.”

“When people make the argument of HBCU relevance not in a pejorative sense, but in a real sense, it’s they’re simply ignorant,” he said while dropping the mic.

“It’s my responsibility and that of other HBCU leaders, to make sure that we educate folks around the importance and continued contemporaneous relevance of these outstanding institutions that are centered around student success and the quality of the graduates that we produce, and we have a prodigious history in doing that.”

Alongside President Faison in his continued quest to produce amazing leaders, scholars and professionals is his bride for over 14 years, Tyciee L. Faison.

All facts!

More facts, “We welcomed our first cohort into our fully online Masters of Business Administration (MBA) degree program and exceeded our goal of twenty-five students so much so that we had to move students into the next cohort to meet the demand.”

Additionally, EWU will offer new undergraduate degree programs in Computer Information Science, Forensic Science, Social Work, and a dual-degree program in Nursing over the next twelve months, Faison added.

Undoubtedly, the pandemic has brought inequities at HBCUs into clearer focus and highlighted disparities in funding, the digital divide, and access and support of mental health.

For the naysayers who continue to downplay the impact of the Edward Waters Universities of the world, Dr. Faison had this pushback, “I hearken back to something my grandmother used

“She is truly the proverbial wind beneath my wings - she is the personification of the new age First Lady and First Gentleman who are actively involved in the life of our universities.”

Mrs. Faison is a higher education administrator and seminarytrained theologian and is a “Key connector for EWU serving as our Director of Community Service and Service Learning.”

“I’m truly blessed to have her helping and supporting me, because this is truly a collective call that we have here at Edward Waters University.”

Some strength strategies that Dr. Faison uses to combat the “jealous jokes” are by focusing on the positive and walking five miles every morning to clear his mind and stay healthy.

He’s a huge Gospel music fan, but he also loves Trap.

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“I know that’s an interesting dichotomy, some mornings it’s John P. Kee, and the next it’s Jeezy, it just depends on what my mood is that day.”

Focusing on his wife, prioritizing, putting things into perspective, and with the help of his parents Alderman Faison, Sr. and Dr. Jewel J. Faison, and sister Dr. Morgan Zacheya-Jewel Faison, he stays grounded and motivated.

Faison is an Atlanta native and represents the “Dirty South” to the fullest, but quipped he’s too bougie for a bologna sandwich, doesn’t care for the sand at the beach, prefers Netflix over Hulu, and rewatched “The Wire” at the height of the pandemic.

There’s not much President Faison would change about his life, even those moments of nostalgia as a teen.

He’s just extremely optimistic and excited about the new capital projects at EWU and the opportunities and doors God is opening.

Kimberlei Davis is a published author, brand strategist, empowerment speaker and an accomplished journalist currently working in print, digital and broadcast media. She is a graduate of Johnson C. Smith University and is the founder of The LEAP Foundation, a non-profit organization aimed at assisting with the academic outcome of foster children. Kimberlei is the mother of one son, Benjamin.

Connect with the writer @KimberleiDavis

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DEFYI NG THE ODD S, RE DE FINI NG THE FUTUR E HBCUs:

BY ABDUL-HAKEEM IMORO

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he story of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) is often one that points to persistency in the eye of the storm. While some HBCUs have folded up over the years, the last to close its doors was Concordia College in 2018.

The remaining 101 HBCUs have kept their heads above the water. Majority of the challenges that confront these institutions are the lack of funding and infrastructure. Beyond the foregone institutional challenges lies the uphill task of efficiently running some of these colleges tailored to minority students.

Despite the challenges that confront HBCUs, Stanley Nelson and Marco Williams, in their 2018 movie: Tell Them We Are Rising, shared that these institutions are rising rods in the skies of higher education. The resilience seen in HBCUs today embodies a long history that began with slavery and, subsequently, denial of access to education for Black men and women. The emergence of Cheyney University of Pennsylvania in 1837 as the first HBCU brought a significant change in the education trajectory for Black people in America. Cheyney University signaled

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great hope for many Black men and women that yearned for higher education. The aftermath of Cheyney University saw the manifestation of other colleges such as University of the District of Colombia, which became the second HBCU in 1851, followed

by Lincoln University of Pennsylvania in 1854 and Ohio-based Wilberforce University in 1856. The list of HBCUs grew for several years coming until many of them fell along the cracks as the challenges enumerated became tangible. Some started to fold due to a myriad of difficulties. A recent case in point is Cheyney University, which was on the verge of closing until the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) came to its rescue.

HBCUs have remained home education to many Black men and women in America, Africa, and the Caribbean. HBCUs have become a place of cultural, intellectual, social, economic, and political diversity as many students from diverse backgrounds gather to train. For example, the first president of Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah, had the privilege of training at Lincoln University. ivil rights leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr, W.E.B. Du Bois, Rev. Jesse Jackson, among many others, have all benefited from the legacy of HBCUs. One of the many things that draw most Afrocentric students to HBCUs includes some superficial but equally relevant features: the similarity in looks, hairstyles, skin tones, food choices, and the convergence of first-generation college students across these campuses. Attributes such as these keep many students together in pursuance of success in the HBCU environments—bonds established on HBCU campuses run deep through family ties that go back to generations. But a great awakening of some sort in the HBCU story has been how funding for higher education institutions is skewed towards nonHBCUs such as Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs). While these historical institutions may not have envisioned the battles ahead, several HBCUs serve as shining examples of courage under challenging times.

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“HBCUs have been levers of social mobility and community shelters for Black people in America since the founding of the first institution, Cheyney University, in 1837.”

nation’s competitive demand of scientists and the lack of African Americans in these academic disciplines. Like the many other HBCUs, Morehouse has produced very influential individuals like Spike Lee, Howard Thurman, Herman Cain, and Eddie Glaude, to name a few.

INEQUITY IN FUNDING

HBCU stories have been about denying Black men and women educational rights and about inequality in the funding of Morgan State University, Coppin State University, Bowie State University, and University of Maryland Eastern Shore−the four historically Black colleges and universities in the state of Maryland. But more importantly, the HBCU story is about the Peer-Led Team Learning (PLTL) in science and mathematics at Morehouse that encourages and teaches young Black men to become scientists. The inspiration is all about how Morehouse is making these young men ready to live in a STEM world—a career path that hardly gets a front seat discussion in many African American homes.

THE MOREHOUSE EXAMPLE

The HBCU story is also about The Morehouse Mystique, which instills in students a character of leadership and a sense of comradery. HBCUs today aren’t just a place to obtain knowledge. Recent police brutalities and the murder of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor have flipped the story to a reassuring chapter that tells stories of HBCUs as a safer place for higher education. The challenges of HBCUs may be far from over. However, opportunities like the recent rise in enrollment numbers of HBCUs call for strategic positioning of these historical institutions for a future that will capitalize on all funding sources available. HBCUs have been levers of social mobility and community shelters for Black people in America

The last American Council on Education (ACE) report outlined the scope of inequity in federal and state government funding and investment in HBCUs. In a snapshot, public HBCUs are more dependent on federal and state funding than non-HBCUs, while private HBCUs heavily rely on tuition. In addition, private HBCUs receive a smaller number of personal gifts, contracts, and grants. Data from ACE points to a great irony: while HBCUs continue to struggle financially, these historical institutions continue to experience a decline in federal funding. Moreover, HBCUs’ endowments are lower than non-HBCUs’, like PWIs, —at least 70% behind.

HBCUs should be replicating the success stories of their own.

The likes of Morehouse—an all-male college, have been a success story in STEM education. Morehouse remains a shining example that deserves all the accolades. The Atlantabased college’s successes are attributed to capitalization on the

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since the founding of the first institution, Cheyney University, in 1837. For more than a century, HBCUs have disproportionately supported the production of middle-class Black Americans despite severe underfunding and purposeful disinvestment.

HBCUs consistently overproduce, accounting for only 3% of public and not-for-profit institutions, yet enroll almost 10% of African American college students nationwide, while yielding 17% of the bachelor’s degrees and a quarter of the STEM degrees earned by Black students.

Despite their critical role in producing Black graduates, the state underfunding of HBCUs has been documented in various cases, including the recent landmark HBCU Maryland case which netted $577 million to the state’s four public HBCUs. Even the Office of Legislative and Budget Analysis recently announced that the state of Tennessee withheld between $141 million and $544 million in land-grant funds to Tennessee State University between 1957 and 2007. But this is not the only sector that hasn’t invested in HBCUs, the gap in private gifts, grants and contracts between ultra-rich universities−institutions of higher education with endowments valued at more than $1 billion−and HBCUs in 2018 was $227 million, which is $100 million more than the gap in 2010.

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campus instruction with HBCUs reporting significantly lower infection rates than their peers. Additionally, HBCUs’ success at producing Black doctors will be critical to addressing health disparities also extended by the pandemic.

HBCUs will play a significant role in reversing the recent economic downturn, particularly in the Southeastern US−where there are lower levels of economic well-being and where most HBCUs are located. In this area, they generate $14.8 billion annually in economic activity, producing positive economic benefits, critical for the recovery of our nation.

HBCUs continue to be indispensable for educational, economic, cultural, and societal gains for Black Americans and deserve more resources and an increased focus on their work for society.

As we work towards creating more equitable outcomes for society, HBCUs remain pivotal to ensuring we achieve those endeavors.

This lack of investment in HBCUs is a lack of investment in their missions to serve underserved communities and students.

In comparison to their peers, though HBCUs enroll 2.1 times more Pell eligible or students from low-income families, have a significantly higher population of first-generation students at more than 50%, and educate almost 75% Black student population, their graduates are 51% more likely to move into a higher income quintile after graduation.

Beyond that, HBCUs significantly contribute to the wellbeing of their students: HBCU graduates report higher social, purpose, community, financial, employee and physical wellbeing than their non-HBCU peers. The familial environment created to provide the wrap-around services required for underresourced students also proves successful in producing graduates satisfied with their experience and prepared to be successful in the workforce demonstrated by their production of Black professionals including the creation of 80% of Black judges, 50% of Black doctors and lawyers, and 40% of Black engineers. This success is seen with HBCUs educating just 10% of the Black student population.

As we focus on equity and addressing the needs of the most underserved communities and people as well as uplifting society, HBCUs will be a critical component of any plan. The necessity of their role was highlighted as we continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, where the populations they are committed to serving were most affected. HBCUs mobilized to serve as testing sites, vaccination sites, provide shelter for students suffering from housing insecurity and to operate as food pantries. They were also particularly successful at preventing virus spread during on-

Abdul-Hakeem Imoro is a final year doctoral candidate in the Higher Education Administration Leadership and Policy program at Widener University Center for Education. He is a scholarpractitioner whose research interests focus on education policy, public policy, and journalism.

His work addresses equity, diversity, and inclusion; curriculum development; institutional effectiveness; and student success in higher education. He lived and worked in Ghana as a journalist for five years. You can follow him on Twitter @Theedupolicy

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PATHWAY T O NIKE:

K IZ M E T MI L L S

BY ERICKA BLOUNT DANOIS

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izmet Mills understands that there are circuitous routes to get to your passion. Mills, the Senior Director of Global University Relations and Recruiting Programs for NIKE, Inc., is something akin to a polymath, the kind of person that can succeed in many fields of study.

Kizmet is a proud HBCU graduate and an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

As an undergraduate student at Howard University, she was a Biology major and on her way to dental school. She’d applied to Meharry Medical School of Dentistry in Nashville, Tennessee and to the Howard University College of Dentistry in Washington, D.C. Her goal was to own her own dental practice.

While she waited for decisions from both schools, she thought that it would be a smart idea to take some business courses. As she talked to friends in the business school at Howard, she found out about a business fellowship that would pay for an MBA and eagerly applied. Soon thereafter, she found herself in a quandary when she learned she had received the fellowship. By then, she had also received an acceptance from Meharry. Mills followed her true passion and made the decision to attend the Howard School of Business – MBA Program.

“I started my MBA studies at Howard and discovered Human Resources through internships and I said, ‘The world of Human Resources is vast and exciting,’” Mills remembered.

She never looked back.

Now at Nike, she leads global talent strategies and talent pipelines for early career emerging leaders for Nike, Jordan and Converse brands. She’s the head of a global team comprised of North America, EMEA, Greater China, and Asia Pacific Latin America geographies.

“I focus on collegiate and university talent - undergraduates at the junior level is a sweet spot and graduate students in the first

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year of their masters program. The philosophy is that we create internship opportunities with the goal to convert to full-time employment,” said Mills.

Students that complete the internship program successfully could potentially be offered full-time employment upon graduation.

The recruitment process is competitive with numerous applications and Nike hiring about 400 - 500 early career candidates globally.

There are various innovative talent programs where Nike works in partnership with elite athletes to create apprenticeship and fellowship opportunites to build business capabilities.

There’s also an additional segment of the pipeline that focuses on direct hires where Mills targets graduating seniors in college as well as second year master’s students. They recruit those students to start at Nike full-time. Mills’ team hires across the Nike, Inc. enterprise for various disciplines from engineers, designers, and technologists to finance, human resources, marketing, and data analytics to name a few.

For Nike, there’s also a continued focus to deepen their relationships with HBCUs, says Mills. “There is amazing talent on our HBCU campuses. We are looking for students with

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potential to grow and develop their career at Nike,” says Mills.

“STEM talent is a huge area of excitement and is critical to Nike’s tech, digital, and sustainability initiatives.”

Mills was introduced to global representation as a student at Howard University being in classrooms with students and professors from a variety of countries around the world.

“Howard is called ‘The Mecca’ for a reason,” said Mills. “It peaked my interest to think globally and prepared me to launch my professional career.”

To date she’s visited over 35 countries.

Howard University, she says, also had professors that not only taught the theory of her academic discipline but also logical and strategic thinking - how to properly network and establish relationships and navigate her corporate career as a Black woman.

Growing up in Atlanta, Georgia, she was immersed in HBCU culture from the Atlanta University Center – Spelman, Morehouse, and Clark Atlanta University.

“I was drawn to the culture, the traditions, the authentic

Howard University, had professors that not only taught the theory of her academic discipline but also logical and strategic thinking - how to properly network and establish relationships and navigate her corporate career as a black woman.

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family and belonging that an HBCU experience brings,” Mills remembers. “I had so many strong positive influences that instilled in me the importance of education and using that as a tool for empowerment.”

Her main educational influence before local HBCUs and Howard University was her mother, a young, single mother, who would go on to take her along to college classrooms as she continued her education.

“I literally had a front row seat as my mother navigated her college education and her professional career. She finished at a 4-year university and was my first inspiration in knowing that college would be in my future,” Mills remembers.

Mills now uses her platform to give back to students and young adults and help them realize their potential in her work at Nike.

“I have the honor to lead and influence in a space where I also have the opportunity to introduce students to their dream job,” said Mills who helps to demystify the process of getting a job and the job itself. “My role is to pull back the curtain and to let students know and understand that they can do it.”

Her ideals correlate with the mission of Nike “to bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete* in the world.” Nike deems everyone an athlete – “if you have a body, you are an athlete” is Nike’s motto.

“I’ve been with Nike for over 5 years and during that time I’ve been able to establish strong innovative talent pathways. Early career and students and universities are such critical pipelines for talent,” said Mills. “Over the course of those years, I have been able to expand Nike’s reach by creating a comprehensive global university relations and recruiting program framework and amplifying additional diversity programs where we are activating our diversity and inclusion commitments. I’m thankful I get to do this work for a company that lives up to its mission.”

KIZ ME T M I L L S

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Nike exists to bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete* in the world.

If you have a body, you are an athlete.

Our Purpose is to move the world forward through the power of sport – breaking barriers and building community to change the game for all.

Learn more about the Nike Purpose

Our Nike team is the spark that ignites our imagination, drives innovation and diversity.

We invest in our employees, inspiring the new ideas, methods and products that fuel the future of sport.

Learn more about Nike Careers

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H B C U EXE CUTI VE L E A D E R SHI P

BY KIMBERLEI DAVIS

it the nation’s most diverse cohort of future HBCU leaders.

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onths after announcing she would not seek a second term, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has begun a new journey as an honorary fellow with a first-of-itskind program designed to recruit and develop multidisciplinary skills among high-potential candidates for service at over 100 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

The HBCU Executive Leadership Institute at Clark Atlanta University (ELI at CAU) is funded in large part by the Chan Zuckerberg Foundation, which contributed $1 million toward the effort.

The inaugural cohort of ELI at CAU comprises representatives from a variety of industries such as law, finance, arts, education, and public affairs, among others.

15 women help make up the impressive 26-person roster, making

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Bottoms, a former judge, and Florida A&M University alumna, is proof-positive that HBCUs produce leaders of extreme caliber.

“For more than 150 years, HBCUs have not only played an important role in American higher education, but also in building stronger communities and world-class leaders in every sector of society,” said Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms in a press release. “As a proud graduate of Florida A&M University, I am excited to accept this honorary fellowship and support HBCU ELI’s efforts to ensure this legacy continues.”

“Mayor Bottoms is experienced, intelligent, and has a strong commitment to the next generation of women leaders,” said Dr. George T. French, Jr., president of Clark Atlanta University. “As an alumna of Florida A&M University, she continues to remind us that HBCUs can indeed create leaders who help solve society’s most pressing challenges, even in the face of crisis.”

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“Initially founded in 2018, under the leadership of Dr. Lewis Sullivan, Dr. Johnny Parham, and Dr. Samuel Jolley, the HBCU ELI program was developed with 13 competencies,” said Dr. Phyllis Worthy Dawkins, former president of Bennett College and HBCU ELI executive director.

“I report to a board of roughly 28 people who helped us launch the program as we know it today,” she said. “The first virtual seminar was held in June and another is scheduled for early September.”

The criteria was pretty substantial and the applications were competitive.

Dawkins said the cohort increased from 20 to 26, “We looked for those with administrative and management experience in education at the dean’s level or higher, those in corporate America and new presidents.”

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Dr. French said HBCU ELI participants will also be awarded micro-credentials, and there will be a monthly mentorship and coaching component.

“The low-residency model currently consists of intensive online presentations, but to culminate in the Fall, we will meet inperson,” Dawkins said. “We will keep the low-residency model because there is some strength in a virtual space, and we can touch people quicker.”

The culminating celebration will always be held at the Atlanta University Center, “So they can see what a historically Black college looks like because some of the fellows are from majoritywhite institutions although a lot of their roots lead them back to HBCUs.” The program boasts of 58% women, which makes Dr. Dawkins elated.

Dr. French said “the initiative addresses the critical need to train HBCU presidents to lead for more than the average tenure, which is about three years.”

“We have a very objective selection committee, who chose the best applicants from the pool we had at the time. We are very, very proud of that,” she said.

CAU is one of nine HBCUs in Georgia accredited by The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

“These are very strong females and I admire their strength to pursue this executive leadership training,” Dawkins said.

“Sometimes as females, we know that we are good at what we do, but we just stay at the same level or see ourselves slowly move up the ladder instead of aggressively seeking these opportunities.”

According to Dr. French, many HBCU presidents get burned out and their tenure is about half that of all U.S. college and university presidents.

“We are training people who can step into the role, equipped to lead for more years than our counterparts,” he said. “The fellows are charged with learning 13 competencies that every president should know and demonstrate.”

The competencies fall under six frameworks: Social Impact, Personal Impact, Institutional Impact, Serving the Mission, Creating Capacity, and Leading Change.

Like Bottoms, Dawkins is also a history maker having worked at five HBCUs - South Carolina State University, Johnson C. Smith University, Dillard University, Cheyney University, and the 18th President of Bennett College.

The award-winning researcher and tenured professor said she would have appreciated a program like HBCU ELI before taking the helm at Bennett University.

“I came with my experience in academic affairs; however, when you become president, you are president of more than just academics but rather the entire institution. It’s beneficial to know a little bit about everyone’s position and the 13 competencies our fellows will learn about touches on board governance, finance, and others.”

Submissions for the next HBCU ELI Fellows began in September, with an announcement in November, and training will be from January 2022 until December 2022.

With the support of a distinguished HBCU ELI Advisory Board and the Council of Past HBCU Presidents, the program can ensure the long-term sustainability of over 100 HBCUs. To celebrate Mayor Bottoms’ honorary designation, some members of the Board and Council will participate in the Mayor’s Cup Golf Tournament, beginning the event with ceremonial first tee shots.

Additional funding sources for HBCU ELI at CAU are Microsoft Corporation, The Rich Foundation, Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, Toyota, ECMC Foundation, United Methodist Church, the late Dr. Frederick Humphries (former president of Florida A&M University and Tennessee State University), and other individual donations.

For program updates and to apply for the future cohorts, visit ELIatCAU.org.

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7 TH IN G S

YO U NEED TO KNOW AB O U T BIDEN’S WHIT E HOUSE EXE CU TI VE OR DE R

BY DR. MARYBETH GASMAN

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n September 3, 2021, President Biden issued an Executive Order on the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity through Historically Black Colleges and Universities. With this action, he was following all U.S. presidents since President Jimmy Carter. Carter signed the first Executive Order on August 8, 1980, making it clear that HBCUs are important to society, that systemic barriers to success had long existed for these institutions, and that the federal government has a role and obligation in making opportunities available to HBCUs. Below are seven (7) things you should know about the new Executive Order:

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The Biden Administration recognizes the challenges – highlighted by COVID-19 – that HBCUs face when it pertains to physical and digital infrastructures on their campuses. Pivoting to on-line learning definitely happened at HBCUs, but the pivot revealed inequities that must be addressed through federal support and private investment.

President Biden and his team realize that there are barriers to opportunity and resources at the federal level and are committed to reducing these barriers and the bureaucracy that hold them in place.

There have long been inequities in research funding of HBCUs, with HBCUs receiving very little funding and that funding being clustered in a few HBCUs. The Biden administration recognizes these issues as well as how the lack of sponsored programs infrastructure, and grant writing and grant procurement resources at HBCUs makes securing federal funding an uphill climb.

An investment in these areas would enable HBCUs to compete for federal funding on a level playing field.

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The Biden administration understands that there are long-term impacts related to COVID-19, and that HBCUs will need support to weather these impacts.

HBCUs are on their radar for long-term support.

Realizing that information is power, and that far too many people are ill-informed about HBCUs and their contributions to students and society overall, the Biden administration is committed to “strengthening the capacity to improve the availability, dissemination, and quality of information about HBCUs.” Ensuring that the HBCU story is visible and well known is essential to HBCU sustainability.

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Many of the themes in President Biden’s Executive Orders have been in previous Orders. However, an advantage that he has is in his team. He chose people to lead these initiatives who have keen and long-standing knowledge of HBCUs, who have been advocating for them regularly, and who use data and evidence to support the beautiful life experiences of HBCU students when advancing the HBCU agenda.

The Executive Order is focused on student success and retention – the keys to sustaining HBCUs and moving more African Americans into the middle class. The Biden administration is keenly focused on college affordability, degree attainment, improving infrastructure, and modernizing HBCU campuses.

President Biden’s team built in an evaluation mechanism in the Executive Order so that HBCU leaders and advocates are regularly consulted on the progress made by the Initiative and to hold President Biden accountable for his support of HBCUs.

Dr. Marybeth Gasman is the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Endowed Chair in Education & Distinguished Professor at Rutgers University.

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V S U T RAI NI NG THE NE X T G E NER ATI O N O F B L ACK P O L IT ICAL L EADE RS

BY YOLANDA MCCUTCHEN

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his fall on the campus of Virginia State University (VSU), the first cohort of the John Mercer Langston Institute (JMLI) for African American Political Leadership will begin training under the tutelage of Dr. Wes Bellamy, Chair of the VSU Department of Political Science and Director of the JMLI. The program will focus on preparing African American leaders to run for and serve in public office, public administration, protesting, and policy change/implementation. “What we’re trying to do with the institute is create a center that truly develops Black political leadership, not just develops a bench for people to run for office; but also we understand that being in politics is not just about the face or the individuals who are elected. It’s also about your county administrators. It’s also about the people who run the school board. The people who work for public works and parks and rec and your finance department and who work at the state capitol, who work on the hill. We’re taking a multifaceted approach of developing persons to fill all of those roles,” said

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Dr. Bellamy. Offering political leadership training is a further extension of the VSU political science department’s focus on the state’s Black population. The department’s polling about Black Virginia voters has been well received, according to Dr. Bellamy.

The JMLI intends to take a unique approach of educating Black Virginians to understand the political system and how to become involved. Regarding the significance of this center being housed at Virginia State, Dr. Bellamy says, “There are no institutes in Virginia that are specifically dedicated for developing Black political leadership. And that’s what we’re looking to do. There’s nothing wrong with us owning our politics. There’s nothing wrong with us taking care of ourselves, and there’s nothing wrong with us saying that we have to do this for Black people, because if we don’t no one else will.” Members of the cohort will participate in events throughout Virginia while learning about the commonwealth’s political landscape with a focus on African Americans from September through November, “The goal is to show how Black political leadership operates in these different spaces but also how you navigate these spaces as a Black politician in a wide variety of different fields.” Institutes at other universities can cost thousands of dollars to receive training. Dr.

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Bellamy is actively fundraising to support the institute so that cost of participation is not a deterrent to people applying. His goal is to make the program far more affordable than those offered by other universities and free if funding allows.

Virginia is rich with prominent universities including five Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Dr. Bellamy feels strongly that VSU is well suited to do this training because of the university’s unique political history in Petersburg. “I consider Petersburg to be ground zero for Black political leadership. It was Petersburg and John Mercer Langston, VSU’s first college president who was the first Black congressional member from the Commonwealth of Virginia. He served in the U. S. House of Representatives in 1881. If not for Petersburg and the folks who were fighting on the ground, we wouldn’t have Virginia State University, and we wouldn’t have public education for Black folks with the resources available to them now. I also see Petersburg as a place in which it is uniquely positioned as home to a state-ran HBCU to be able to speak boldly in terms of educating Black folk from a political standpoint,” stated Dr. Bellamy.

Dr. Bellamy is a nationally known activist, educator, former Deputy Mayor of Charlottesville, Virginia, author and recognized from his frequent media appearances. He has been a member of the faculty at Virginia State for four years and chair of the political science department for the last three years.

His first HBCU experience was as a business management major at South Carolina State University, with the goal of opening a barber shop after graduation. He did not foresee a career in politics or education. Those plans changed when he was recruited by a government agency for a job in Charlottesville, Virginia. Dr. Bellamy calls his move to Charlottesville “divine intervention” because it was there where he began performing community work and connecting with activists in the area. Dr. Bellamy left the job that originally took him to Charlottesville and became a high school computer technology teacher.

He enrolled at Virginia State to pursue a master’s in education administration because he was interested in becoming a high school principal. Although the University of Virginia was only minutes away, he wanted all his degrees to come from HBCUs and intentionally chose to drive 80 miles each way to Petersburg to pursue it at VSU. An encounter on Dr. Bellamy’s first day on campus further confirmed to him that he had chosen the right school, “I was lost. I’ve never been to the campus. I’ve never been to Petersburg. And there was a young lady, Dr. Brooks-Walters.

She said, “Baby, you look lost,” and I said, “Yes ma’am, I am.”

She literally walked me to every classroom in the building until we found my class. And then she said, “If you ever need anything

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to make sure, you come back and let me know.” She was actually the department chair. After this, I knew I was at home.

While pursuing a graduate degree, Dr. Bellamy was still teaching high school and campaigning for a seat on the Charlottesville City Council. Dr. Bellamy lost the election, and said he was supported and encouraged by the administration at Virginia State to run for office again, become a principal, as well as continue furthering his education at VSU in the doctoral program. He went on to run for office again in 2015, becoming the youngest person ever elected to the Charlottesville City Council. He won a second history-making election becoming Vice-Mayor of Charlottesville, again as the youngest person ever elected to the position. In addition, he earned his Doctor of Education at VSU. In the spring of 2018, the university offered him an opportunity to teach classes as an adjunct. The fall semester of that same year he became a full-time member of the political science faculty.

Dr. Bellamy landed on the national media’s radar through his work as one of the leaders of the efforts to remove statues of Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson from city parks in Charlottesville. In 2019, he wrote “Monumental: It Was Never About a Statue”, recounting his experience as the only Black person on the Charlottesville City Council while fighting against white supremacy. Dr. Bellamy defended his dissertation August 12, 2017, the same day as the Unite the Right Rally when white extremists and counter protesters violently clashed in Charlottesville.

True to form, Dr. Bellamy is managing several projects in addition to his duties at Virginia State. He is the National Public Policy Chairman of the 100 Black Men of America, and the major release of his second book takes place this fall. It is entitled “When White Supremacy Knocks, Fight Back! How White People can use their Privilege and How Black People can use their Power.” He was inspired to write the new book in response to the frequent questions he receives, “I’m literally asked maybe two or three times a week from white folks, what can I do? It’s a guidebook.

Within each chapter it talks about a personal story and then essentially a guide for white people and a guide for Black people and things in which we can do together.”

As Dr. Bellamy launches two major projects this fall, he credits his HBCU experience as being the catalyst for the accolades he has earned, “I tell people all the time there would be no statue removals without South Carolina State and Virginia State giving me the confidence to be able to withstand the white supremacy, to know that I’m good enough and that people have my back.

Without those two institutions, I probably wouldn’t be doing this work.”

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PATHWAY TO HO L LYWOO D

BY ERICKA BLOUNT DANOIS

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elevision writer Sa’Rah Jones has been dispelling myths and stereotypes about Black characters as one of a small number of Black women writers in Hollywood.

But one of the biggest myths she’s had to dispel was the perception some people have about her own industry – specifically, Black writers in Hollywood that make it – and the myth that there’s a crabs-in-a-barrel mentality that comes with ambition.

“I got here because of Black people,” Jones says about her success. “I’ve always had people willing to help.”

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Jones who has two Black women as managers, a Black woman as her attorney and a business manager who is a Black woman (as well as a Jewish male agent), was only able to get her start because Black people that had already excelled in the business reached out to her, mentored her, and helped generate her first big break.

“It was hard to get management at first, no one wanted to read me,” Jones recalls. “It took a woman who is now my manager, Korin Williams, and another woman, Monique Nash, who had their own production company to give me a break.”

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Jones had been punching up scripts for Williams and Nash – industry talk for making scripts funny – as they were just starting their production company, Kronicle Media. They didn’t have a management company yet. Jones would be their first client.

“They said, ‘We’ve never been managers before, but we believe in you,’ Jones remembers them encouraging her about 7 years ago. ‘We want to get you started.’”

Now, Nash and Williams have a management division with Kronicle Media that is so successful that they are unable to take on new clients.

Other women like writer, producer, and actor Nkechi Carroll, currently the producer for the CW Network drama “All American,” took Jones to lunch frequently and took her under her wing.

Black men like Joe Wilson, producer and writer for shows like “The Equalizer” and “NCIS” and writer Randy Huggins, currently working on 50 Cent’s “BMF” would reach out to Jones and take her to meetings.

“They saw the grind, and they said we are going to help you and they would,” Jones recalls. “When you do the work, people want to help you. You can’t come to somebody and say I want to be a writer and you haven’t written anything.”

Meg Deloatch, producer of Netflix’s “Family Reunion,” read Jones’s sample script, called her, and said, though she was fully staffed she wanted to meet with Jones. They met and within the week Jones was staffed as a writer on “Family Reunion.”

In addition to “Family Reunion,” starring Tia and Tamara Mowry, Jones is currently a writer and executive story editor on CBS’ “The Neighborhood” as well as two Lifetime movies in development.

Jones always knew she wanted to be in entertainment as a young girl drawing pictures, creating stories, writing, and watching television.

“I didn’t put it together as a child that someone wrote the words that these people were saying on television,” Jones laughs.

She ended up studying English and Broadcast Journalism at South Carolina State University, an HBCU in Orangeburg, South Carolina. There she garnered an internship at a news

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station where she realized that thenewscaster’s copy was being written by someone else. Before she graduated from SCSU, she learned about a television internship where she could learn how shows were made. She and her best friend Yvette Nicole Brown, who is now an actress, both applied for the program and made it in.

“In the writer’s room, everyone treated them like they were Gods.

I knew then that’s what I wanted to do,” said Jones.

But she wasn’t going to take a straight path to get there.

She got pregnant with her son before completing the program and had to leave. She went on to work in corporate America, but never lost her ambition to write. She would get up every morning at 5 a.m. to write and would send out sample scripts.

Her diligence paid off. She landed a job punching up scripts for producer Korin Huggins (now Williams).

“She told me: ‘I don’t know where you are in life, but you’re really funny. Quit your job and do this full-time,’” Jones remembers.

But Jones couldn’t afford to quit as a single parent with a young child, living in an expensive city like Los Angeles. But then the universe intervened, and she was laid off. She never went back to work. She gathered all her savings and continued writing every day at 5 a.m. for several years.

Nash and Korin continued to mentor and manage her, took Jones and eventually she had offers from networks. From one pilot script, she got calls from NBC, ABC and CBS. Jones says she has been largely influenced by Black writers from shows like “A Different World,” “Moesha” and “Girlfriends.”

Early on in her career, her experience in a meeting with creators of “Moesha” taught her to always be prepared. She came to an informal meeting without a sample script.

“They told me don’t ever tell someone you’re a writer and you don’t have a sample,” Jones remembers. She learned from then on to always be fully prepared, even in informal settings.

Jones wrote a comedy sample script about her own life, and it garnered her two movies and three shows. She signed with an agent and started to get to the point where she was able to pick 2 0 2 1

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Don’t call yourself ready until you master your craft. There are less than 5% Black writers in Hollywood.

That’s it.

-Sa’rah L. Jones the shows she wanted. She broke through the glass ceiling in an industry with less than 5% Black writers.

“Don’t call yourself ready until you master your craft. There are less than 5% Black writers in Hollywood. That’s it. They are reading 10 pages of your script. I’m going to be nice and read five more. If you have misspelled words and it’s not formatted, it’s going in the trash. I want you to be great. I want you to make it,” says Jones about young writers.

She says right now she doesn’t have a desire to create her own show. But she does want to help someone run their own show as a co-executive producer. She wants to write movies, to be able to take off half a year, to have the freedom to be bi-coastal – all of which she can do as a writer, rather than as a showrunner.

She’s committed to tell stories with nuanced Black characters.

“I am okay with being a Black woman that writes on Black shows,” says Jones. “Because I am a Black woman and take pride in our culture,epresentation behind the scenes matter because we are able to tell our own stories.”

Jones’s unique perspective as a writer comes in large part from her experience going to an HBCU. “Having that experience allows me to have a whole different voice than the writers that went to Yale,” she says. “The PWIs are the ones with the film schools, so most of the writers come from white schools. Your voice is different having gone to an HBCU. It’s the voice and authenticity. I don’t write Black. I am a Black girl that writes.”

There’s a love between professors and students at Black schools sometimes tough love - that she says reflects in her writing.

“I took everything from my HBCU. It reflects in everything.”

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F R OM PO L IT ICS TO PR OD U C ER

BY YOLANDA MCCUTCHEN

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uane Cooper’s path since graduating from Hampton University in 2002 has taken him to receiving a standing ovation on the floor of the South Carolina State Legislature to founding a film company and executive producing a documentary nationally distributed by PBS, entitled “Downing of a Flag,” about the history and removal of the Confederate Battle Flag from the grounds of the S.C. State House in 2015.

Cooper majored in biology at Hampton and is the second of his siblings to attend the university. Both of his parents are HBCU graduates (Winston Salem State University and North Carolina A&T State University). After graduation, he landed a position on the reelection campaign of South Carolina’s then governor, Jim Hodges. The governor lost the election, but Cooper won a new career interest and continued in the political arena for over a decade. He worked on several state-wide campaigns for Democratic candidates, lobbied for the South Carolina School Boards Association and became Executive Director of the S.C. House Democratic Caucus. However, Cooper’s interest in movies that developed during his childhood in Hemingway, S.C. was ever present, “I’ve always loved movies, and I’ve watched a lot of films over the years. Back then, I wasn’t thinking I want to be a filmmaker, but I’ve always looked at different situations and thought that would make a good story,” said Cooper.

In 2010, he began researching about how he could enter the film industry and tell the stories that he knew existed but was not seeing represented in films, “One of the main reasons I thought of making my own films was the lack of diverse stories. For Black films and TV shows, everybody’s a club owner or drug dealer or a ball player. At the time I was lobbying, there’s not a story about a Black lobbyist but we exist. I wasn’t the only one. Our people

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need to see those stories too, a wider range of stories.” So, Cooper outlined a screen play. As his exploration into the film industry continued to develop, he decided to start a film company, Strategic Films, and developed a slate of documentaries based on government, politics, and business subject matters. “Downing of a Flag” is the first production released by Strategic Films.

Going from lobbyist to filmmaker may seem like an unrelated career transition, but Cooper’s relationships from his days of working in Democratic politics were key to making “Downing of a Flag.” The first of the film’s 55 interviews was with Cooper’s old boss, Governor Hodges. In the summer of 2015, when the S.C. House of Representatives was debating the removal of the Confederate Battle Flag, following the massacre of nine members of Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, Cooper was on the floor of the legislature in his position as executive director of the S.C. Democratic Caucus. Cooper also knew the pastor of Emanuel, State Senator Clementa C. Pinckney, who was murdered along with eight of his parishioners on June 17, 2015. These experiences led him to focus on the removal of the Confederate Battle Flag as a documentary subject.

Cooper was simultaneously forming Strategic Films, running the S.C. House Democratic Caucus, and still working as a campaign consultant when he and S.C. State Representative Terry Alexander arranged a meeting with SC ETV’s (PBS affiliate) leaders to discuss the need for more diverse programming broadcast by the station. During this meeting, Cooper pitched “Downing of a Flag” to the network, “I said to them most people don’t know how the flag even got up there. So, let’s tell the whole story, in two parts starting in 1961 (the year the flag began flying at the State House) and come all the way up.” At that meeting, SC ETV agreed to become a distribution partner.

Through his government affairs network, Cooper secured Dominion Power as the film’s title sponsor. With this backing, Cooper and his production partner, Susie Films, set out to complete the documentary. However, Cooper was still managing the S.C. House Democratic Caucus up until January 2021 when he made the decision to fully focus on Strategic Films and his other enterprises. On January 28, 2021, he was given a standing ovation on the floor of the State House in honor of his service to the legislative body, “I’ve been on that floor a lot, but this was a very cool moment, to have the speaker announce the occasion.

They gave me a standing ovation. It was very surreal,” Cooper said.

“It was important to all of the filmmakers involved to include perspectives on all sides of the Confederate Flag debate,” Cooper stated. The documentary team secured interviews with those that argue that the Confederate Battle Flag is an essential facet of their southern heritage. Even with Cooper’s relationships with members of the state legislature, only one member that voted against the removal of the flag in 2015 agreed to appear in the film, former S.C State Representative Chris Corley. Interviews with the general commander of the Sons of the Confederacy

is included in the documentary. Historical footage, additional supporters of the flag along with those legislators and activists that had been advocating for the flag’s removal for decades are featured in the film.

“Downing of a Flag” debuted on SC ETV and 15 additional PBS stations across the country in July 2021. Cooper said that the film had one of the largest rollouts; and at the time of this interview, 85% of all PBS stations in the nation had scheduled airtimes for the film. In addition to the prominent national carriage, Cooper and his team hosted four film screening and discussion forums in different regions across South Carolina. Panelists at each screening were members of the production team and persons that are featured in the documentary. “The reception has been great to the film. Additional PBS stations continue to schedule it. Recently New York’s PBS affiliate picked up the film. We’ve been told that the carriage rate we are experiencing has been unseen,” said Cooper. He plans to replicate the South Carolina screening events in other cities around the country where the film is broadcast, “I want as many people as possible to see the film and continue the dialogue about it beyond South Carolina,” said Cooper.

Cooper was inspired by some of the challenges he faced building Strategic Films to form the Minority Film Institute, “I thought about when I was starting my film company trying to find information about grants and how to get started. It was hard to do, and my knowledge was limited. The Minority Film Institute is a nonprofit one-stop resource for minorities interested in the film and television industries.”

Cooper and his partners are enjoying the release of “Downing of a Flag” while developing new films. Two of Cooper’s upcoming projects focus on two renown HBCU graduates, the Rev. Jesse Jackson (North Carolina A&T) and Congressman James Clyburn (South Carolina State University)−“PUSH Forward,” the story of Jessie Jackson and the Rainbow PUSH Coalition and “Southern Gentleman” on the life and career of Congressman James Clyburn.

“Downing of a Flag” is available on the PBS streaming app, local PBS affiliates (check local listings for times), Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV. Visit Downing of a Flag (doaflag.com) to learn more about the film, Strategic Films (stratfilms.com) for information on Cooper’s upcoming productions and Minority Film Institute (minorityfilms.org) for resources on becoming a filmmaker.

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TA K E FLIGH T W IT H ECSU

BY KIMBERLEI DAVIS

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industry with United Airlines and have the credentials to be both commercial and private pilots.” tudents at Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) are soaring to new heights!

Not only is ECSU’s signature aviation program the only fouryear collegiate program in North Carolina offering a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in aviation science, the University has partnered with United Airlines to help train the next generation of pilots.

“We’re experiencing some wonderful times at Elizabeth City State University,” said Dr. Karrie G. Dixon, 12th CEO and seventh chancellor of Elizabeth City State University. “When people think about ECSU, I want them to think of aviation science, that’s our niche.”

Dixon said the partnership between ECSU and United Airlines will offer aviation students support and coaching on their way to becoming United Airlines pilots.

ECSU is one of several Historically Black Colleges and Universities that are working with the airline for the program, which aims to train 5,000 pilots this decade.

“The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) chose us for a reason.hey chose us because they wanted to diversify the pipeline of pilots for years to come and this is so critical for us.”

“We are excited that our students will have careers in the airline

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Dixon is also ecstatic about ECSU living up to the state’s slogan “First in Flight,” by being the first institution in the state to launch a degree program in unmanned aircraft systems aka drones. “No one else is doing this yet in North Carolina.”

Growth seems to follow Dr. Dixon.

Since her arrival at ECSU, enrollment climbed nearly 40% in just 18 months and degree program offerings expanded, which also included an online master’s degree in education and an online bachelor’s degree in homeland security.

Also under Dixon’s leadership, the university increased its fleet of owned aircrafts from two to 12 for ECSU’s signature aviation program.

ECSU’s resurgence does not rest solely on Chancellor Dixon.

“It’s a collective effort of our alumni, students, faculty, staff, campus community, and friends,” she said. “We see the progress and we want to keep that same energy and momentum.”

Dixon said HBCUs have a transformative impact on the lives of students.

From social mobility to success to the family-like environment where you’re nurtured and pushed to go further and reach your potential, HBCUs are indeed relevant, she said.

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ECSU’s signature aviation program is attractive to flight students not only for certifications with the Federal Aviation Commission, but also because tuition is accessible and affordable.

ECSU is an NC Promise Campus, “It’s a tuition reduction program that was put in place by the North Carolina General Assembly spearheaded

by Senator Phil Berger (R-Eden), and we’re one of three institutions identified and the only HBCU.”

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a four-year degree in emergency management. We are offering the wave of the future, especially in aviation and technology.”

Chancellor Dixon says she’s committed to ensuring that the students they serve today have the same experience as ECSU’s distinguished alumni.

“We are producing Vikings who become alumni with great professions and then give of their time, talent, and treasure for the betterment of our institution.”

Tuition is $500 per semester for in-state students and $2,500 per semester for out-of-state students.

“Once people see the quality education that we’re providing at ECSU as a constituent institution of the University of North Carolina system coupled with the price point, there’s no denying that you will get what you pay for.”

In March, Elizabeth City State University celebrated its 130th Founders Day. From its origin in 1891 as Elizabeth City State Colored Normal School established for “teaching and training teachers of the colored race to teach in the common schools of North Carolina” to offering over 30 undergraduate and graduate degree programs, with several online degree options to being ranked as one of the nation’s Military Friendly Schools for small public universities, ECSU is on an upward trajectory.

“People are taking notice of us, and we’re a proud HBCU,” Dixon said. “The tuition that we are not receiving is being supplemented by the North Carolina General Assembly, so from the standpoint of operations we are not losing out on funding.”

Prior to her appointment at ECSU, Dr. Dixon served as a senior administrator at the UNC System Office; vice president for academic and student affairs, and chief student affairs officer. She was an assistant vice provost at North Carolina State University (NCSU).

In 2020, Chancellor Dixon was named to the newly formed national Women in Aviation Advisory board (WIAAB) by the U.S. Dept. of Transportation Secretary, Elaine L. Chao. In 2019, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper awarded Dr. Dixon The Old North State Award, one of the highest honors granted by the State of North Carolina, which is awarded to “individuals who have shown dedication and service beyond expectation and excellence to the Great State of North Carolina.”

The wife and mother of two said she gleaned from her fellow Sister HBCU Presidents.

She said that access is critical, and there shouldn’t be barriers for people who want to pursue higher education.

“That sisterhood is strong, and we lean on each other for encouragement,” Dixon said. “There are very few of us...it’s important from a social and mental health standpoint for us to have each other to cry and celebrate - especially with someone who understands.”

Dixon has also placed emphasis on recruitment as part of strategic goals for the institution in the twenty-one counties of North Carolina, out-of-state students with high academic profiles, military students, and adult learners.

“We have over 100 HBCUs in the country, some are big and some are small; and I’m one of the small ones that we should not overlook because there’s a jewel here in Northeastern North Carolina.

Despite the pandemic, ECSU’s enrollment increased by 13%.

So the next time you board a United Airlines flight and hear, “This is your Captain speaking,” it might just be an ECSU Viking!

The exponential growth ECSU has experienced during Dixon’s three-year tenure is credited to the fact that, “We are very intentional about those pipelines to help us with enrollment.”

“We’re one of two institutions, but the only HBCU offering

Learn more about ECSU’s Department of Aviation and Emergency Management

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W ILLIAM CHA RLT O N J R:

UN IT E D AI R L I NE S AN D H BC Us

BY ASHLEIGH FIELDS

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illiam Charlton Jr., an experienced military and commercial pilot for United Airlines is actively working to bridge the Black achievement gap in the field of flying as a member of the aviation advisory board at Delaware State University.

While flying has become a frequent means of travel for most, the statistical identity of those in the pilot seat remains stagnant. The lack of diversity among the average aircrew is startling. According to Data USA, 86.4% of aircraft pilots and flight engineers are white. However, commercial airlines are beginning to realize they must broaden their scope of candidates if they hope to sustain successful service amidst the growing pilot shortage.

“Flying can be demanding, but it’s a rewarding profession,” said Charlton. “The average pilot earns anywhere from $160,000180,000 in a year.”

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Although the salary is fulfilling, many find themselves without the resources and the means to pursue this career. In response to the increasing demand, United Airlines, the only major U.S. airline to own a pilot training academy, launched a partnership with three HBCUs: Hampton University, Elizabeth City State University, and Delaware State University. Their goal is to identify top talent and recruit students for admittance to their flight school.

Charlton actively advocates for all of the nine HBCU aviation programs at Hampton University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Florida Memorial University, Texas Southern University, Langston University, Elizabeth City State University, St. Philip’s College, and Southern University but proudly boasts that his alma mater Delaware State University has the best.

“We have a premier aviation program; we are the only HBCU that owns our planes,” said Charlton. “We have 22 to be exact, 11 of which are straight off the assembly.”

The program educates 130 students who receive guidance from a staff of 100 professional pilots. This unlimited access to seasoned specialists provides a stream of resources for students to utilize as

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Skies, and Tuskegee Airmen Inc. are working to keep the Black sector of pilots connected and well advised.

“Your network is your net worth, and as a member of some of these organizations, I created a network while traveling the world which has made me very wealthy physically, financially and culturally,” said Charlton.

However, oftentimes what aspiring Black pilots lack is funding.

Each of these groups provide scholarships in addition to using outreach and mentorship programs to encourage exposure to the field of aviation. they embark on their journey toward a career in aviation.

“At an HBCU it is as you would envision, half the people around you look like you; at a PWI you represent less than 2% of the population,” said Charlton. “Majoring in aviation at Del State was a privilege, you’ll never be in that environment again.”

Statistics prove what he’s saying is true. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2020 report, less than 3% of commercial pilots are Black. In the Air Force, there are fewer than 50 Black pilots. Charlton flies for both.

“We’re supporting ourselves and trying to spread information because most of us don’t know the options we have,” said Charlton. “For any aspiring Black pilot, it is important to verbalize it and build a village.t is impossible to do it alone.”

His path toward the airway was far from straight. After graduating from Caesar Rodney High School in Camden, Delaware, it was his mission to operate an aircraft. His hope was to pursue a career in the military, but at the time they weren’t in need of pilots but engineers.

“The military has prerequisites before training and is very competitive because they pay for your training, they only take the top 10% in each class,” said Charlton.

“Everyone no matter where you’re from has an opportunity for greatness in their lives, but the question is do you recognize it and have the resources to capitalize on it,” said Charlton.

Luckily, he was introduced to the euphoria flying can give early on in life. Charlton was raised on Langley Aorce Base in Virginia Beach and would often travel internationally by plane.

“I remember my first flight as a passenger to the Philippines with Continental Airlines and my first flight as a pilot at Del State where I took the plane up and knew I was in control,” said Charlton. “The planet looks a whole lot different from above.”

It’s a sight he hopes others can get used to seeing which is why he spent the last year raising money to create the Black Aviation Endowment Fund. The revenue generated will be used to sponsor college students at the 9 HBCUs for the 2022-2023 academic school year.

“Life is a sum of your experiences, and the greater your experiences the richer your life,” said Charlton.

He is hopeful these funds go toward broadening the horizons for those bold enough to take flight.

Yet this did not deter him. He studied at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida on an ROTC scholarship and was later on recruited by Delaware State University to accomplish his goal of becoming a pilot.

“If you want to be a pilot, you have to have a mentor,” said Charlton. “There are multiple pathways one can take to become a pilot, but many are unaware of the opportunities available to them.”

Those as young as middle school students can learn to fly through the Federal Aviation Administration’s programs; high school and collegiate students are often referred to Aim High Flight Academy. While these groups are securing a future for the youth, the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals, Sisters of the

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HBCU Times 2021 Summer Issue | 35

FEAT U R E D S T O RY

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Dr. Jackie Walters: 50 SHADES OF PINK

BY ERICKA BLOUNT DANOIS

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t’s an unusual circumstance for there to be such a thing as an OB-GYN celebrity. But Dr. Jackie Walters’ break-out reality star status has changed that.

On her stint on Bravo’s television show “Married to Medicine,” it becomes clear that Walters is the kind of friend that you like immediately. She’s funny, relatable, honest and no-nonsense.

As a two-time cancer survivor, she added substantive information to the show as she dealt with pregnancy loss, infertility and the struggles of chemotherapy.

In 2013, she formally launched 50 Shades of Pink Foundation to provide support for the mind, body, and spirit of what she refers to as, breast cancer warriors. The foundation accomplishes this mission by supporting patients’ psychological needs both during and after cancer treatment and working with the entire family affected by the diagnosis of the patient.

With her personality, it was no surprise that she would be a standout cast member on the reality show even though she initially had no interest in being on the show when her best friend asked her to audition nearly eight years ago.

“I was like no, never,” Walters remembers before she agreed to at least go to the audition. “I was like I’m boring they won’t call me back. They called me back and then I still said no.”

Walters was finally convinced to do the show and found her openness on the show helped even more with getting her clients to open up to her at the doctor’s office.

“I do good girlfriend conversations with my patients. I share most things with them,” Walters says. My struggles have given me strength. I have been able to use everything that has gone

“They come from all over the country to me because they feel like I can relate to their story. I get to share my breast cancer story with women who are going through the journey.”

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right or wrong in my life to share with people internationally so they can make decisions based on the decisions I’ve made - good, bad or indifferent.”

She translated this relatability into her 50 Shades of Pink Foundation, understanding as a physician that communication and having patients retain a positive attitude helps with their response to treatment.

Walters knew she wanted to help people growing up in Mississippi where she attended Alcorn State University, and had other options for school, but no other choice.

“I grew up near Alcorn where we bleed purple and gold,” Walters laughs. “All of my family went to Alcorn. They wouldn’t let me entertain anything else. Both of my parents were schoolteachers and really into academics.”

At Alcorn, she was pre-med, but her ambitions were briefly derailed when she fell in love.

“I wanted to marry this guy. I decided I didn’t want to be a doctor anymore. I just wanted to get out of college so I could marry him, so I switched my degree to medical technology,” she recalls.

“As soon as I started the medical tech program, he dumped me.”

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She wanted to go back to medicine after the relationship ended, but her mother told her she’d have to pay for her own schooling.

She worked for two years to save up the money before she was able to go back.

After Alcorn, she attended the University of Mississippi for medical school. She was inspired to be an OB-GYN, in part to fight against her conservative hometown where sex wasn’t discussed, where vaginas were referred to as “pocketbooks” and menstruation as “that time of the month.”

“I just wanted to be able to talk about sex,” said Walters. “So, I knew when I went to medical school, I wanted to be an OB-GYN.” Some of her medical studies took her to Atlanta, and she fell in love with the city. She opened a practice, Comprehensive Women’s OB-GYN, with her partner in Atlanta. There were obstacles along the way. The first year of her practice, she and her partner made financial mistakes, but recovered. She learned not to shop or eat out in the early years. She put positive affirmations on her mirror daily.

“Nobody told us how to run a business in medical school, they taught us how to be a doctor,” Walters remembers. “But I was determined to make it work.”

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Her practice has been in operation now for 25 years. She’s now a doctor to celebrities like Toni Braxton, T.I. and Usher, among others. The practice is so successful they keep a three to five month waiting list.

Walters married her husband, Curtis Berry in 2002, and was looking forward to trying to start a family after a pregnancy loss when she got a surprising diagnosis in 2004.

On June 16th, 2008, she got the call from her doctor after a mammogram telling her that she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

“The doctor told me I needed to come back in. But as an OBGYN you hear this all the time,” Walters remembers. “I was like I’ll get to it. They told me I needed a biopsy, and I was like, ‘I don’t have time for that.’”

She continued with the surgery she had scheduled to perform that day. But her partner in surgery urged her to get the biopsy.

She did and later called for her pathology report which read carcinoma. She was floored.

“I was a person with no family history, very healthy,” says Walters.

She went through two surgeries, six months of chemo and 33 cycles of radiation. She learned that after chemo her ovaries were damaged and she was menopausal, so she couldn’t try for a child. She and her husband decided to adopt, but they had to wait five years. By year four, she was diagnosed with cancer again in the opposite breast and had a double mastectomy.

With her public persona, she was able to share her story with other cancer survivors on television, and it resonated with her patients.

“I have become the breast cancer doctor, the infertility doctor...” says Walters. “They come from all over the country to me because

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Tanya Martino 50 Shades of Pink Cancer Survivor and Voorhees Alum they feel like I can relate to their story. I get to share my breast cancer story with women who are going through the journey.”

Walters started counseling, sending care packages and providing spiritual support for women battling cancer when she started her 50 Shades of Pink foundation.

The need for the foundation is great. The stats paint a grim picture. Black women are 42% more likely to die from breast cancer, two times more likely to die from cervical cancer and more likely to die than other communities from ovarian and colon cancer.

The foundation deals with the before, the middle and the aftermath of cancer survivors. When Walters would go to her chemo appointments, she’d get dressed up. “I knew it was a mindset,” she recalls about getting through the treatments.

50 Shades of Pink started off giving women lipstick, makeup, warming pads to help with chest pain and drains to wear after a double mastectomy. They have grown to have extravagant fashion galas featuring cancer survivors as the models.

“We just want the world to know that even though you’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer, you look good,” says Walters.

“When you look good, you feel good. And the science behind feeling good is you’ll do good.”

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COLLETTA ORR: THE FIGHT AGAINST CANCER

BY YOLANDA MCCUTCHEN

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olletta Brabham-Orr’s path to Voorhees College and to becoming a cancer researcher both stem from her family’s background and experiences. Growing up in Hampton, South Carolina, Brabham-Orr’s family spoke probably about their relative Elizabeth Evelyn Wright-Menafee, the founder of Voorhees College and she grew to admire her pioneering family member, “She was very young, and she persevered until she found a place that was safe to build Voorhees. She started building it in Hampton, South Carolina but it was burned down by the KKK. That’s how she ended up moving the school to Denmark. She was only in her twenties. Because of my family ties to the institution, I chose Voorhees.” Brabham-Orr knew that she wanted to attend the college that her ancestor had fought so hard to build, and there she studied biology with the intent to pursue cancer research because of her grandmother, “I chose that major because my grandmother passed away from ovarian cancer when I was 18. We didn’t understand the disease. She questioned why did this have to happen to me? And when she said that it sparked my interest. Since then, I’ve been striving to learn more about the disease.”

Brabham-Orr poured herself into her studies, and by the time she graduated in 2002 had completed internships at Meharry

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Medical College, Morehouse School of Medicine and Vanderbilt University. After graduation, she was having difficulty finding a fellowship where she could continue to study ovarian cancer.

Brabham-Orr also had an interest in breast cancer and accepted a research fellowship at Georgetown University Lombardi Cancer Center in Washington, D.C. After completing the breast cancer fellowship, she was able to pivot back to ovarian cancer research in 2004 at the National Cancer Institute. With two prestigious fellowships on her resume, Brabham-Orr became a recognized expert in the fields of breast and ovarian cancer which she feels it is critical to raise awareness among African Americans, “The thing that’s so odd about breast cancer is that white women get diagnosed more often more frequently than Black women, but Black women die more. We have a higher death rate from breast cancer.” Brabham-Orr says the factors vary on why Black women are dying at a higher rate from breast cancer, but early detection is critical to survival “Perhaps Black women are not going to get mammograms. If you’re not going to get mammograms or going to your gynecologist and getting a manual exam done, when you find out if you have breast cancer, it’s already in stage three or stage four.” For this reason, she addresses community groups and organizations to educate them on the importance of mammography. Screenings for breast cancer are important for both women and men because both have breast tissue. BrabhamOrr advises that there is no guarantee that someone will never get breast cancer, but it is possible to reduce the risk of developing the disease, she says to “exercise and watch what you eat, no

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smoking and reduce your alcohol consumption.

Alcohol consumption does increase the risk of breast cancer. Breastfeeding your children reduces the risk of breast cancer.” Knowledge of your family medical history is a key component in early detection which is key to survival stated Brabham-Orr, “If you know your family history, then your primary care physician can better manage your health. For instance, I have a history of breast and ovarian cancer in my family. My insurance pays for me to get a mammogram twice a year and I can get an ultrasound done on my breasts if need be. If your doctors don’t know that you have a history of these things, they don’t know to put these tools in place so they can watch you closely and manage your health differently instead of advising you according to regular protocol.”

According to Brabham-Orr, there are no major racial disparities when it comes to diagnosing and the survival rate of ovarian cancer. The cancer is aggressive, and the survival rate is low; in addition, she said it is a cancer that is difficult to detect, “There is no exam. You get a mammogram for breast cancer. The breast is an organ outside of your body that you can feel. By the time you realize there’s an issue in your stomach like bloating, you have a full-blown tumor and when it’s that big you already are in an advanced stage.” Ovarian cancer symptoms such as bloating, nausea and lower back pain are all signs of several far less severe health issues. Brabham-Orr cautions that if these symptoms persist do not dismiss them. “I always tell people if you have all these symptoms more than two weeks you need to go and have your your doctor go ahead and rule ovarian cancer out. Have a biopsy done. That’s the best thing because there is no test for ovarian cancer. There is no exam. So that’s why the survival rate for ovarian cancer is low,” said Brabham-Orr. Although the detection of ovarian cancer is difficult, a healthy diet, exercise, not smoking and limited alcohol consumption lessens the likelihood of a diagnosis. “I’m a big advocate for breastfeeding because

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while breastfeeding you are not ovulating.

Your ovaries are in a resting state. It gives your ovaries an opportunity for cell repair to take place,” said Brabham-Orr. Pregnancy is another stage that pauses ovulation and allows a woman’s ovaries to rest and can lessen the likelihood of developing ovarian cancer. BrabhamOrr says that the more children a woman has the more the risk of ovarian cancer is reduced. She also shared that having children before the age of 32 is even more impactful.

Brabham-Orr’s research and expertise in the fields of breast and ovarian cancer along with her passion to educate others about the disease has expanded her career beyond the lab. She has fielded speaking engagements domestically, as well as in Dubai and Paris under the umbrella of her own company, Colletta Orr & Associates. “The core value of my business is to teach people about awareness, about understanding breast and ovarian cancer and how it’s genetically linked,” said Brabham-Orr. She works as a consultant to hospitals, “I create programs for hospitals to be able to teach survivors once they have finished treatment how to live life after cancer treatment and how to figure out what their new normal looks like.” Brabham-Orr has been featured in media reports including the Huffington Post. Her research findings have been published in the “American Association for Cancer Research”, and she is the author of “Cancer Doesn’t Always Win: A Comprehensive Guide to Beating Breast & Ovarian Cancer.” Brabham-Orr stated about her book, “It’s a very easy read. It’s simple facts but it’s thorough about how you can live.” The book is available on her company’s website at www.CollettaOrr.com, at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and on iTunes. Thus far, the book has been purchased as widely as markets in Europe.

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WE’RE DEPENDING ON GOD, AND NOT YOU

BY DR. CRYSTAL A. DEGREGORY

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ust about 100 years ago, on October 6, 1871, in Nashville, Tennessee, nine students—Ella Sheppard, Issac Dickerson, Green Evans, Maggie Porter, Minnie Tate, Jennie Jackson, Benjamin Holmes, Thomas Rutling, and Eliza Walker—at the fledgling Fisk University, gathered amid a small crowd of well-wishers. The occasion was unlike any other before. The students had come to the school for an education. Now, they were preparing to leave its modest grounds to save it.

Just five years earlier, in January 1866, Fisk, known to some as the Fisk Free Colored School, had been formally dedicated as the Fisk School. Although the day was replete with well-wishers, Republican Governor of Tennessee W. G. Brownlow, in his keynote, noted that without the protection of federal troops, the school would not last “a week, not a week.”

There were insufficient funds for repairs. There was not even enough money for food to feed the 400 students enrolled at the school.

The beef was so tough, the boys called it “Old Ben,” and declared “every time they saw the cow they felt like apologizing,” reflected student Ella Sheppard. She had arrived at Fisk in September 1868 with all of her possessions in a trunk so small, the boys teasingly called it a “pie box.”

Along with several Fisk students, Sheppard spent what little free time she had rehearsing music with Fisk treasurer and music teacher, George L. White.

It lasted and grew in service to many of the almost 11,000 freedmen — 3,500 of them younger than 15 — who called Nashville home at the time of Fisk’s founding in 1865.

His encouragement of the small student gatherings began in 1867. Their repertoire primarily consisted of contemporary numbers and abolitionist hymns. But, when left to their devices, the students chose to sing the songs born of the slave experience, songs now known as “Negro Spirituals.”

But by 1871, the one-story barracks of the former Union Army hospital that housed Fisk University were rotting extensively.

“We did not dream of ever using them in public,” wrote Sheppard. Only with the door shut and locked and with the

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curtains drawn did the singers “sit upon the floor (there were but few chairs),” practicing “softly, learning from each other the songs of our fathers.”

Partly inspired by the applause his small company received in nearby towns as well as by the emptiness of the Fisk treasury, White proposed that he take a company of students north to raise money. However, Fisk’s all-white board and many of the school’s all-white faculty remained unconvinced.

When the board refused to help fund the effort, White replied to his dissenters: “Tis time to hog, rot or die: I’m depending on God, not you.”

So on that fateful day, October 6, 1871, the tears of their loved ones echoed the students, parents, and teachers’ shared fears about the journey. Most of the troupe’s nine original members had been born into slavery. The memory of slavery’s brutality and the surety of race hatred, violence, and injustice must have weighed heavily upon them.

Despite their fears and a general lack of optimism toward the trip, the band of singers was soon named “Jubilee Singers,” because of the biblical reference to the Jewish year of Jubilee in the Book of Leviticus (25:8-17). Blacks had long identified with the scripture’s promise of freedom. As enslaved people, they had figuratively included “jubilee” in their prayers to represent their hope for emancipation. The name’s musical euphony was surpassed only by its symbolic fittingness.

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As the school’s greatest hope, the original Fisk Jubilee Singers traveled across the nation over the next several years. They endured harsh weather conditions as well as countless acts of racial discrimination under frequent threats of mob violence.

They owned little tangibly, most, no more than the clothes on their backs and inadequate shoes on their feet yet remained undeterred by the physical stress imposed by harshly cold and damp conditions as well as constant travel. With their unwavering will, the Jubilees never failed to astound their listeners even amid the most challenging of circumstances.

Early on, while stranded between trains in a small town, the Jubilees were cornered by a mob of whites at a local hotel. With White standing between them and the mob, they followed his direction to sing and pray.

Recalling the incident, Sheppard wrote, “One by one the riotous crowd left off their jeering and swearing and slunk back, until only one leader stood near Mr. White, and he finally took off his hat.”

Arrival at a hotel did not guarantee safety either. On one occasion in Chillicothe, Ohio, the troupe was denied lodging twice. Even then, they were only admitted on the condition they did not eat at the regular meal times with other guests and not sleep in the guest rooms, but in the landlord’s backroom instead.

Similarly, the troupe was immediately ordered off the hotel property in Newark, New Jersey after the proprietor returned to find that the clerk had registered “not ‘cork’ minstrels” but real 2 0 2 1

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Black people.

Singers’ seven years of national and international tours.

As Ella Sheppard later noted, such incidents made them terribly aware of the “caste prejudice which was to follow us, and which it was to be a part of our mission if not to remove at least to ameliorate.”

When the Jubilees returned to the Fisk campus in July 1878, they had achieved world renown. Having raised more than $150,000, the Singers had grown from mere adolescents and young adults.

Despite the bitter sting of these incidents, the Jubilees won allies among leading American personalities such as William Lloyd Garrison, Mark Twain, and President Ulysses S. Grant, who invited them to perform at the White House in 1872.

By the close of their first tour, the troupe had raised $20,000. Not only were the funds enough to pay off many of the university’s debts, but they also secured the purchase of the present site of Fisk University.

The following year, a reconstituted group boarded a ship bound for Europe. There they accumulated an impressive list of admirers, including United Kingdom Prime Minister William E. Gladstone and Queen Victoria. This time the Jubilees raised $50,000, which was used to build Jubilee Hall on the new campus. Named in its patrons’ honor, the Victorian-Gothic sixstory structure was the first permanent structure erected in the South for Black co-education.

In the face of a nation that questioned their dignity, the Jubilees grew into a distinguished and cosmopolitan group of women and men boasting national and international repute. In addition to enabling the purchase of Fisk University’s present site and the building of the Jubilee Hall, the capital the Jubilees raised also practically sustained the entire AMA. The Fisk University campus and community annually celebrates the anniversary of the original troupe’s departure every October 6. Dubbed Jubilee Day, the observation is arguably Fisk’s most sacred gathering, honoring the life and work of the original Jubilees and their director George L. White as well as all subsequent troupe members and directors over the past century.

Because of a raging pandemic that is disproportionately killing the Black and the poor, this year’s Jubilee Day may look slightly different. But in all of the ways that truly matter, it will be that which it always has been: a celebration of the marvel of Black self-determination, the wonder of Black educational persistence, and the singular sound that is the Fisk Jubilee Singers.

Dedicated on January 1, 1876, Jubilee Hall was the crowning achievement of the numerous benefits reaped by the Jubilee

Crystal A. deGregory, Ph.D. is a research fellow at Middle Tennessee State University’s Center for Historic Preservation. A proud alumna of the historic Fisk University, she is also the founder of HBCUstory. Follow her online @hbcustorian.

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Recruiting Teachers Now Charleston County School District

is a nationally-accredited school district that is committed to providing equitable and quality educational opportunities for all of its students.

CCSD is the second-largest school system in South Carolina and represents a unique blend of urban, suburban, and rural schools spanning 1,300 square miles along the coast.

CCSD serves more than 47,000 students in 87 schools and specialized programs.

www.ccsdschools.com

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ALL ABOUT THE ARGUING BROTHERS PODCAST

BY ASHLEIGH FIELDS

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The Arguing Brothers Podcast” specializes in using sports as a medium to produce digestible conversations pertinent to the Black experience. Their small team of four contributing members launched the first show in March of 2018 and has been meeting weekly ever since.

James Davis was motivated to start the podcast after seeing inaccurate representations of people like himself in mainstream media. As a graduate of Alabama State University and a Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) alumnus, he knew his voice was unique and had the power to create change.

“Our goal for this podcast is to serve the community that supports us; it’s essential to build something that provides opportunities and a positive message while displaying our talents throughout the country,” said Davis.

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Their connection formed after consistent sports debates that often spiraled into discussions about events that have heavily impacted the Black community.

“We met through different occurrences but built our friendship doing what we love to do. That is competing; we all were on the same flag football team called the Stunnas, trying to win a championship,” said Davis. “The Arguing Brothers were indeed formed.”

Donovan Springs, Keon McQuarter, and Raymond Butler are all avid members of the team. They each have backgrounds that intersect with the South but all of them currently live in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) metro area. Butler is the only other HBCU graduate. He received a degree in computer information systems from Grambling State University (GSU) in 1999.

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“As an alumnus of Grambling State University, James and I speak about HBCU sports with an extra boost of passion and enthusiasm,” said Butler. “During our podcast, I reflect on stories from undergrad days that trigger so many great memories, and I hope that my daughters continue the HBCU legacy.”

McQuarter and Springs both elected to attend predominantly white institutions. The stark contrast between the two cultures is a distinctive talking point on the show.

“The episode with former GSU quarterback Devante Kincade discussed the differences between playing at Ole Miss versus Grambling, the lack of resources, and the financial opportunities provided when attending a PWI,” said Butler.

However, the group also works to develop a show that could reach an audience with a base outside of athletics. They knew it would be fundamental to expand their influence and reach.

“Our podcast foundation is built on sports; all walks of life watch sports. Sports bring everyone together; it doesn’t matter gender or race. We use everyday life lessons and humor through sports on our podcasts,” said McQuarter. “In sports, you have to work as a team to be successful. It’s no I in the group, so we follow that same motto when it comes to our podcast.”

Each week a new subject is determined by the collective in hopes of gaining a few more listeners.

“We focus on diversity with our guests and topics; our guests have different backgrounds, ages, and demographics which helps incorporate current worldly issues into our show to provide a different perspective,” said podcast member Butler.

The topics discussed range from Kevin Durant’s performance during NBA playoffs to the growing educational inequality schools are facing in New Orleans due to COVID-19. For Butler, this proved to be the most influential segment.

“The episode with our guest, Dr. Ashonta Wyatt, CEO of Wyatt Solutions Group, really enlightened us,” said Butler. “Since I’m a New Orleans native, I know the need for additional resources in the educational system has always been an issue, and I hope it can improve.”

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The future of the youth is extremely important to the Arguing Brothers. As successful Black men, they know that their comments on the show have the ability to impact their young followers.

“My passion for sports began when I was a kid playing with friends and watching games with my father,” said Springs.

It is because of the dynamic of their relationship that Springs understands the learning curve sports can provide. This is a lesson he works to instill in his son, yet it has also taught him how to maintain a relatable mindset on the show.

“On the podcast, we may be considered raw and uncut, but if I talk to my ten-year-old son and his teammates, I realize that I have to tone it down a little,” said Springs.

However, the fact that he played football at Clemson University proves his ability to analytically digest sports at a high level.

“As a former athlete, avid sports lover, and dad, I try to view sports with a wide lens,” said Springs.“I have found that it is vital to balance my passion and share my love of sports with others.”

The Arguing Brothers have been working tirelessly to promote their show and expand their brand. Right now, the podcast is available on all major platforms including Spotify, Google and Apple podcasts.

“We have hundreds of listeners per episode, and we’ve added another show called ‘Convo with Key,’ that Instagram only shows and is a part of the Thomas Road Media, LLC portfolio,” said Davis.

In February, the team presented a website to their audience. It includes links to each episode, all four members’ biography and merchandise.

“I believe that fashion is a great way to express who you are,” said Butler. “Social media, family, and friends play a significant role in advertising and enhancing our fashion brand.”

As the team continues to advance, it is clear they are willing to put forth the effort necessary to prosper.

“I’m claiming that our podcast will become the number #1 sports podcast in the world,” said McQuarter. “We are showing kids you can be successful in sports without playing the game.”

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YOUR FUTURE IS BRIGHT AT CLAFLIN UNIVERSITY H B C U T I M E S

Our commitment to excellence supports us as being recognized as a leading 21st Century institution of higher education that develops a diverse and inclusive community of globally engaged visionary leaders.

OFFERING BACHELOR’S, MASTER’S, AND ONLINE DEGREES BACHELOR’S DEGREES

MASTER’S DEGREES

MAJOR African and African American Studies Art Education Biochemistry Bioinformatics Biology Biotechnology Business Administration (concentrations in Accounting and Finance) Chemistry Computer Engineering Computer Science Criminal Justice Digital Design Early Childhood Education Elementary Education English English Education Environmental Science History Human Performance and Recreation Management Management Information Science Marketing Mass Communications Mathematics Mathematics Education Middle Level Education Music Music Education Philosophy and Religion Political Science Psychology Sociology Spanish Sport Management Studio Art

DEGREE B.A. B.A. B.S. B.S. B.S. B.S. B.S. B.S. B.S. B.S. B.A. B.A. B.S. B.S. B.A. B.A. B.S. B.A. B.S. B.S. B.S. B.S. B.A. B.S. B.S. B.S. B.A. B.A. B.A. B.A. B.A. B.A. B.A. B.A. B.A.

MAJOR Biotechnology Business Administration Criminal Justice Curriculum and Instruction Nursing

DEGREE M.S. MBA M.S. M.Ed. M.S.N.

PROFESSIONAL AND CONTINUING STUDIES (Orangeburg and Ft. Jackson/Columbia Campus) Criminal Justice Organizational Management Psychology

B.A. B.S. B.A.

ONLINE DEGREES Business Administration Criminal Justice Curriculum and Instruction Nursing Organizational Management Psychology

MBA B.A. and M.S. M.Ed. B.S.N. and M.S.N. B.S. B.A.

DUAL-DEGREE PROGRAMS • Engineering (3+2 with Clemson University) • Engineering Technology (3+2 with South Carolina State University) • Biology/Public Health (4+1 with University of South Carolina) • Medical Laboratory Sciences Associates Degree  Biotechnology (2+2 with Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College) • Biotechnology Associates  Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology (2+2 with Greenville Technical College) • Biochemistry  Doctor of Pharmacy (3+4 with Presbyterian College) • Biochemistry  Doctor of Pharmacy (South Carolina College of Pharmacy i.e. University of South Carolina and Medical University of South Carolina) • Masters in Mass Communications (4 + 1 with University of South Carolina)

48 | 2 0400 2 1 Magnolia F A L L StI |S Orangeburg, S U E SC 29115 | (803) 535-5000 | www.claflin.edu

Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack, President

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A B LA CK MA N ’S JOU R N EY TO OB TAI N H IS M .D.

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T ONY DEMAR CO H ANSB E R RY I I

ony DeMarco Hansberry II, born on June 29, 1994, is the eldest son of a Presiding Elder of the African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church and a registered nurse. Hansberry grew up in Jacksonville, FL and attended elementary, middle, and high school in Duval County. During these years, Tony was active in church activities, basketball, and even the Boy Scouts of America Organization, becoming an Eagle Scout in 2011. Regarded as “young, gifted, and Black,” Tony has been afforded many opportunities, since the year 2009, when he developed an innovative suture technique while a student at Darnell-Cookman School of the Medical Arts.

This project was influential in pushing Hansberry to consider a career in medicine. Tony is a Fall 2015 Honors graduate of The College of Science and Technology at Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University, where he received a of Bachelor Science degree in chemistry with a minor in biology. In 2019, Tony received a Master of Science degree in interdisciplinary medical sciences at Morsani School of Medicine, University of South Florida, in Tampa, Florida. Currently, Tony is a second-year medical student at Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, GA. In 2020, Hansberry joined the United States Army through the Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) with the intent of becoming a military surgeon. Mr. Hansberry’s favorite scripture verse is that of Proverbs 3:6, “In all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight.” It is this verse that increases Tony’s excitement for his future.

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It was through the work of Plate It Healthy and the need to provide a solution that would increase healthier food options in the food manufacturing space for all communities, Dr. Jenkins was led to establish a licensed & insured wholesale food manufacturing company, named after and inspired by her grandmothers, O’nita Lee Foods & Products.

DR. TIONNA L. JENKINS

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public health leader, entrepreneur, consultant, educator, business woman and author, Dr. Tionna L. Jenkins, has over 15 years of public health experience and is dedicated to improving the well-being of communities, organizations, and individuals.

As an executive, public health leader, senior advisor, multiindustry player and master negotiator, Dr. Jenkins’ portfolio includes working alongside global foundations and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) like, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Clinton Foundation, Bush Presidential Library, Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library, Clinton Presidential Library and policy leaders and national influencers like, the honorable President Bill Clinton, Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton, First Lady Michelle Obama, Arkansas Surgeon General Dr. Joe Thompson, Governor Mike Beebe & Governor Mike Huckabee as well as major corporations like, Verizon Wireless & New York Institute of Technology (NYIT), just to name a few.

Dr. Jenkins is the CEO & Founder of Plate It Healthy, a public health and wellness company that provides strategic guidance to executives & organizations to improve health and well-being.

Other services include providing culinary experiences, via the Plate It Healthy Cooking Academy. Through the cumulation of food, science, technology and education, the Plate It Healthy Cooking Academy specializes in teaching wellness, culturally infused and hands-on cooking courses, specializing in vegan, vegetarian, plant-based, whole foods and raw food dishes.

O’nita Lee Foods & Products, manufactures consumer-packaged goods (CPG) of hand-crafted jams, granola and sauces in small batches and are sold via e-commerce, retail, and wholesale. All of the food products contain real ingredients with minimal organic sugar and no artificial preservatives or pectin, which lends to an authentic and creative taste.

Dr. Jenkins has been featured in national and local publications such as Heart & Soul Magazine, Ebony Magazine, FIT Arkansas, Soiree Magazine, Arkansas Money & Politics, Arkansas Democrat Gazette, KATV, Channel 7-Good Morning Arkansas, KTHVChannel 11-The Vine, KARK, News Channel 4.

Additionally, Dr. Jenkins has been a featured guest and contributor on large social media platforms like, Plant Powered Sista’s, AfroVegan Society, Femme Fit Fitale, Black Women Losing Weight and Black Woman Transformation, celebrity chef Babette Davis and Terrah Bennett Smith’s podcast, “Sunday Bites and Tidbits” in partnership with Jane Unchained News Network and celebrity (national) journalist Jane Velez Mitchell from CNN, HLN and founder of Jane Unchained News Network.

Dr. Jenkins earned a Ph.D. in public policy from the University of Arkansas, an MPH from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, and a B.S. from Philander Smith College. She also holds a non-profit graduate certification from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and certifications from both T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies at Cornell University (New York) and Emory University (Georgia) in plant-based nutrition and diabetes management.

She has been recognized for her achievements and held numerous national and local board appointments, including the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Health Equity Council, a subject matter expert in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) by the Alliance for Reaching Community Health Equity, Arkansas Business 40 Under 40, a national fellow for the Association for Black Foundation Executives (ABFE), and currently serves on the Board of Directors for Arkansas Children’s Hospital and as Board of Trustee member for Philander Smith College.

IG: @drtionnajenkins | @OnitaLeeFoods · FB: Plate It Healthy | O’nita Lee Foods & Products · www.plateithealthy.com | www.onitaleefoods.com

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BISHOP HERBERT C. CRUMP, JR.

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ourageous, innovative, and resilient are just a few words that embody the spirit of Bishop Herbert C. Crump, Jr. As a native New Yorker (Mount Vernon), he is the son of Bishop Herbert C. Crump, Sr. and the late Mrs. Joyce A. Crump. His natural-born giftings and spiritual talents, coupled with an unconventional trajectory, have collectively propelled and positioned him to be a passionate servant leader, strategic thinker, and modern-day Moses.

Upon migrating to the south, Bishop Crump founded Freedom Temple Ministries, Inc., a multicultural, spirit-filled aggregation of Christ-like believers located in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

Through his shepherding, this progressive assembly has impacted thousands via their various entities such as the Freedom Center, Freedom Bible Institute, Freedom Montessori School, and the Freedom Economic Development Division (FEDD).

In 2008, through the leading of the Holy Spirit, the steps of Bishop Crump were ordered to join the Mt. Calvary Holy Church of America, Inc. (MCHCA). Since this divine connection, he has been a rich blessing and held numerous leadership roles in the organization, including 2nd vice bishop, bishop of finance, and jurisdictional bishop of both the states, South Carolina and Louisiana. Additionally, he was instrumental in expanding Mt. Calvary’s presence through annual crusades in the Bahamas and establishing the MCHCA Bahamas Jurisdiction. Most recently, he has been elevated to the office of the presiding prelate and succeeded the esteemed leadership of Archbishop Alfred A. Owens, Jr. As fourth in succession, Bishop Crump has the honor and privilege of leading this 92-year organization into their new and next era of kingdom building. As a global ministry located in 16 states throughout the continental United States and seven countries, Bishop Crump sits at the distinct helm. In this

assignment, he is unwavering in his dedication to helping this legacy established, covenant connected fellowship of churches remain committed to saving souls, strengthening ministries, and serving communities for Christ.

Bishop Crump’s leadership extends far beyond the pulpit as he presently serves as the president of the Freedom Montessori School. He has also previously served as the president of the Rock Hill Branch of the NAACP, a York County Department of Juvenile Justice Auxiliary Probation Officer, and as an Old Town Rock Hill Association Member. In addition, Bishop Crump became the first African American member of the Rock Hill Chapter of Kiwanis Club International, and is a noble and unselfish member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Bishop Crump’s commitment to holistic excellence and life-long learning motivated his return to school receiving a certificate in Non-Profit Business Management from Winthrop University School of Business, an associate degree in religious studies from Clinton College, a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts with a dual concentration in religion and history from Livingstone College, and a master’s degree in in political and civic engagement from Winthrop University. Bishop Crump’s life demonstrates God’s ability to transform a high school dropout, GED recipient, and former military inmate into a powerful prolific preacher/teacher proclaiming to the world: “He whom the Son sets free, is free indeed!”

Bishop Crump is happily married to Lady Dawn R. Crump, and they are the proud parents of their eldest son Joshua, princess daughter Jenesis, and adopted canine son Ace.

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CARA JOHNSON-GRAVES

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s graduates from Morgan State University and North Carolina A&T, sisters Cara Johnson-Graves & Jenae Johnson-Carr, know the importance of creating a seat at the table when otherwise there is none.

It looks like ME! EPIC Everyday was intentionally created for under-represented children to see themselves in a bright, bold, and beautiful way. As wives and moms, they were disheartened by the lack of products that looked like their children or celebrated diversity. In 2019, there were 46.8 million people who selfidentified as Black, making up 14% of the country’s population.

However, less than 2% of products online, or in store, represented Black and brown children. Upon recognizing the extreme lack of diversity, they made a conscientious decision to empower children of color and took action to fill a void. EPIC Everyday launched its online presence in 2019, and has grown into an international brand with a complete collection that amplifies self52 | 2 0 2 1

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love via apparel, home goods, and accessories.

As kids, they were STEM nerds and later pursued careers in medical and engineering fields, respectively. It is notable that they created a company from dream to reality while living worlds apart. Jenae and her family lived in Scotland while building the brand, and served as the international headquarters in the U.K. While, Cara managed the U.S. headquarters in the Washington, D.C. region. They initially started with a kid’s collection for school and travel. Due to COVID-19, they successfully shifted the focus to create an apparel line and home goods out of necessity to survive. Currently, they have retail partners in four locations in New York and Maryland including Mahogany Books, CAMP: A Family Experience, and Ethnicitees. “Never Ordinary, Always EPIC,” serves as an affirmation as they consistently strive to exceed expectations and celebrate diversity and love for the culture.

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AND JENAE JOHNSON-CARR With no retail experience, they depended on their business skills, educational prowess, and mom-know-how to create a brand that speaks to the next generation of change makers.

The HBCU graduates understand the importance of inclusion and want the next generation to thrive in self-expression and celebrate diversity. Together, they’re turning ordinary school and home products into “EPIC” positive self-reflection with diverse character designs. Their mocha-hued movement manifests positive self-reflection to combat colorism and hair discrimination all over the world. They have been featured on The Kelly Clarkson Show, Romper, The Toy Insider, Atlanta Parent, and Good Housekeeping magazine.

‘EPIC’ stands for ‘Empowered, Positive, Innovative and Creative’ – and that’s the vibe of the entire collection. They refer to the

unique characters as “mocha-hued.” Inclusive light to rich dark browns, wispy curls to fabulous kinky coils, ALL mocha-hued tones & textures matter.

“Our mission is to amplify positive images that reflect & represent diverse mocha-hued children and people that inspire them. Most importantly, we are igniting hope that the next generation feels ‘proud to be ME!’” Follow them on Instagram @epiceverydayofficial, and check out the complete EPIC collection by visiting https://shopepiceveryday.com/

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DR. KENNETH ROGERS, MD, MSPH, MMM State Director South Carolina Department of Mental Health

TANYA SMITH BRICE, MSW, PHD

Save the Date

2022 CROSS CULTURAL CONFERENCE FEBRUARY 24-27, 2022 Hilton Myrtle Beach Resort

For more details about registration and Student Day poster competition, please visit us at www.crossculturalactioncouncil.org

Vice President of Education Council on Social Work Education

S. KENT BUTLER, PHD, LPC, NCC President, American Counseling Association Fellow, National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education Professor, Counselor Education Former Interim Chief Equity, Inclusion and Diversity Officer University of Central Florida

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HAS AN UNMATCHED COMMITMENT TO

Historically Black Colleges and Universities AKA Endowments Established at over 96 HBCUs! Dr. Glenda Glover International President and CEO

Over $6 Million raised!

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Corporate Office 5656 S. Stony Island Avenue Chicago, IL 60637 HBCU Times 2021 Winter Issue | 55 www.aka1908.com

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